Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), a leading global events hub and business enabler, has announced record-breaking results for 2024, reinforcing Dubai’s economic growth and its position as a premier international platform for trade and commerce. DWTC welcomed 2.65 million event participants this year, marking a 7% increase from 2023. The impressive performance was driven by a packed calendar of 378 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and business events, reflecting a substantial 26% year-on-year growth.
MICE Expansion Drives International Participation
DWTC’s MICE sector saw significant growth, with events increasing from 107 in 2023 to 135 in 2024. These gatherings attracted 2.03 million attendees, a 30% surge from the previous year. Notably, international participation soared to 942,000 visitors, accounting for 46% of total MICE attendees. Exhibitor numbers also rose by 9% to 58,665, with 77% of them being international companies, further reinforcing Dubai’s global appeal.
H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DWTC Authority, highlighted the center’s achievements, stating: “These results reflect not just growth in numbers but in Dubai’s global positioning. The increase in international participation underscores confidence in Dubai’s business ecosystem. With new-to-market events and ongoing venue expansion, DWTC is set to meet rising global demand.”
Sectoral Performance and Flagship Events
In 2024, DWTC hosted 20 key exhibitions, drawing 590,000 attendees—a 14% increase. Among them, 242,000 were international visitors, making up 41% of the total. The Healthcare and Medical sector led with 465,000 attendees (23% of total MICE participation), driven by events like WHX Expo Dubai and AEEDC. The Food & Hospitality sector followed with 283,000 attendees, while the IT sector, propelled by GITEX Global, saw 281,000 visitors.
Conference & Association Growth
DWTC doubled its conference count to 25, attracting nearly 90,000 participants. Additionally, 14 international association meetings drew 104,000 attendees—three times more than in 2023. Key gatherings included the MDRT Global Conference and WCA World.
Dubai Exhibition Centre’s Growing Role
Hosting 24 events in 2024, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) attracted 128,000 visitors. Its AED 10 billion expansion will add 64,000 sqm of space by 2026, boosting capacity to 140,000 sqm.
H.E. Almarri emphasized, “Our expansion aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda ‘D33’, reinforcing the city’s status as a global business powerhouse.”
Beyond events, DWTC strengthened its real estate and free zone operations, including a partnership with Emaar for Expo Living and the addition of One Za’abeel to its jurisdiction.
